Author: James Schisler

The Barton School of Business is thrilled to welcome Byron Knight, president of Koch Disruptive Technologies, as its distinguished keynote speaker. This exciting fireside chat, titled “Harnessing Disruption: Pioneering the Future of Innovation and Growth in the Business World,” will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium. The event is open to the public and will include a networking opportunity for attendees afterward.

“Under Byron Knight’s visionary leadership, Koch Disruptive Technologies is at the forefront of investing in groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping industries globally,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “Hearing Byron share his insights on current investments and future industry trends will provide invaluable knowledge for anyone interested in business and the evolving landscape of innovation.”

Two 2023 graduates of the Barton School of Business at Wichita State, Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson, are opening Another Broken Egg Café, an upscale brunch restaurant, Sept. 30 near K-96 and Oliver. The two first met in high school and had other business ventures together in college, and they did extensive research and vetting before choosing to franchise Another Broken Egg Café.

“Through Jon’s and my time at WSU, we built an invaluable network of successful entrepreneurs who we’re grateful to call mentors,” said O’Connor, who was a Jabara Scholar recipient and named Entrepreneur of the Year while at WSU. “We almost exclusively met these connections in person at local restaurants. We hope for our cafe to be a regular meeting ground for WSU students to have those same meetings with their future mentors.”

They will host a special VIP opening on Sept. 28 where 100% of sales will go to their charity partner, The Shocker Support Locker.

Chris Wright — founder, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Liberty Energy and the fall 2024 entrepreneur-in-residence at the Barton School of Business — will provide a keynote presentation, “Empowering Global Communities: The Transformative Role of Energy in Bettering Human Lives,” as part of the James Schwartz Lecture Series.

The keynote event is at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium.

Doors open at 3 p.m. Following the presentation, a book signing and reception will be held in the Woolsey Hall Atirum. All are welcome to attend the event at no additional charge.

The Barton School of Business is pleased to announce that accomplished entrepreneur Chris Wright will serve as its Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the fall 2024 semester. Wright, the founder, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT), based in Denver, Colorado, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the role.

Liberty Energy, founded in 2011, is a leading North American energy services firm renowned for its innovative completion services and technologies for onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Liberty Energy boasts a market capitalization of $3.33 billion and employs 5,500 individuals.

A self-described tech enthusiast turned entrepreneur, Chris Wright is committed to enhancing human lives by expanding access to abundant, affordable, and reliable energy. He holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and has completed graduate work in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley and MIT.

The Barton School of Business has named Christopher Stone as the new chair of the Management Department. Dr. Stone, a faculty member since 2018, has served as an associate clinical professor of management at the Barton School. He succeeds Gery Markova, who has served as chair since 2021 and has been instrumental in leading the department and initiating new programs, among other achievements.

“Chris brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our Management Department,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “His distinguished record as an educator, researcher and mentor will be invaluable as we build on the department’s strong foundation. I am excited to see how Chris will drive the department forward, fostering innovation and excellence while supporting our students and faculty.”

As chair, Chris will foster a collaborative environment within the department, ensure a safe and thriving atmosphere for students, faculty and staff, and focus on faculty development. He will also work to align programs with industry standards, increase student enrollments across all programs housed in the department and provide a top-notch student experience through curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

The Barton School of Business is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Siyu Wang as the new chair of the Department of Economics. Dr. Wang, a professor at the Barton School since August 2020 and head of the Behavioral Economics Lab, succeeds Jen-Chi Cheng, who has expertly led the department for more than 20 years.

“Siyu’s appointment highlights our ongoing commitment to advancing the Economics Department, building on Jen-Chi’s exceptional leadership over the past two decades,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “Siyu’s unwavering dedication to excellence will be instrumental in shaping the future of the department and our school.”

In her new role, Dr. Wang will focus on developing the economics curriculum, enriching the student experience through hands-on learning opportunities, and building stronger connections between students and industry professionals. She is also dedicated to fostering an environment that supports faculty in their professional and academic growth.

The Barton School of Business is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Dinkel, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Koch Inc., as the new chair-elect of the Barton School Dean’s “Fabulous 50” Advisory Board, effective July 1. He will succeed Margaret Dechant and will begin his three-year term as Board Chair on July 1, 2025, serving through June 30, 2028.

“I am deeply honored to step into the role of chair-elect for the Dean’s Advisory Board and to build upon Margaret’s outstanding leadership,” Dinkel said. “This position offers a unique platform to elevate the Barton School to national prominence. It is not merely a role; it is a transformative opportunity to redefine our future, drive groundbreaking innovation and set new standards of excellence. Together, we will chart an ambitious course, positioning the Barton School among the top business schools in the nation and empowering our students to reach unprecedented heights of excellence.”

Jeremy Hill who has worked at the Barton School of Business’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research (CEDBR) as the director since 2009, will step down from his role at Wichita State University effective June 30 to pursue a new career opportunity. Dr. Chris Broberg, associate dean faculty and research in the Barton School, will serve as interim director while a search for a permanent successor is conducted.

Under Hill’s leadership, CEDBR has achieved remarkable growth and resilience, transitioning services, expanding the annual Wichita Economic Outlook conference to over 700 participants, and enhancing the center’s research capabilities to include vital economic indices and forecasts for the entire state. These accomplishments have significantly contributed to the depth of economic analysis and decision-making across Kansas.

“Jeremy has been instrumental in redefining how economic data and forecasts impact not only businesses but also policy-making in the region,” said Chris Broberg at the Barton School. “While his leadership will be greatly missed at the center, we are excited about potential collaborations within him in the near future.”

The Barton School of Business is poised to host its esteemed “Beyond” Hall of Fame 2026, dedicated to recognizing, honoring and celebrating industry executives and business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their communities and the advancement of the Barton School. The illustrious inductees of the inaugural Hall of Fame in 2024 were Frank Barton, Clark Bastian and Fran Jabara. Nominations for this prestigious event’s next group of inductees are being welcomed until Friday, May 10, 2024.

“The Barton School has been shaped by countless luminaries,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean, Barton School. “This recognition stands as our heartfelt tribute to their remarkable achievements and profound impact. Each inductee serves as a beacon of inspiration to us all.”

The “Beyond” Hall of Fame 2026 crowning event will take place on Feb. 21, 2026, at the celebrated Mark Arts in Wichita. This spectacular event coincides with the Barton School’s 100th centennial celebration, promising an evening of unparalleled grandeur and significance!

Nominations for the 2026 Business Hall of Fame inductees are currently open. If you are aware of individuals whose contributions have left a lasting impression on the Barton School, we encourage you to submit your nominations to bartonbeyond@wichita.edu by May 10, 2024. Please include the nominee’s name, title, company affiliation, a brief rationale for the nomination, along with the nominator’s name and contact information.

The Global Workplace MBA Initiative, a collaborative effort between the Barton School of Business and the Berlin School of Economics and Law, proudly celebrates its 20th year of partnership. Launched in 2004, this initiative is designed to offer U.S. and German MBA students immersive real-world international collaboration teams and intercultural communication experiences. Widely acclaimed, it stands as one of the most distinctive international MBA programs in the United States.

“For two decades, the Berlin Experience has created an opportunity for students to collaborate, network and build their professional skillsets,” said Wichita State President Rick Muma. “This is an invaluable experience for our students and more than 125 companies — many of which are in Wichita — who have benefited from the strategic guidance and insights offered by students in the program.”